“Working on the Midnight Oil Makarrata project was a huge honour,” commented Rachael Johnston, Video Artist. “It was really important to work with the band’s existing themes and aesthetic to create a video show that encompassed narrative and meaning while staying true to the project’s intention.”
The video pieces that emerged were the result of a collaboration of sparks and ideas between content producers: Midnight Oil and Eleven Management, Rachael and IMAG director Pete Gibbs.
Each piece was carefully considered and adjusted until a good balance could be struck between narrative imagery and live-action camera of the band performing.
The video element was played out on IMAG screens to either side of the stage, allowing the Uluru Statement From the Heart words to shine as a fabric backdrop to the stage. IMAG director Pete Gibbs and Rachael worked closely to create cohesive screens using a combination of Dry IMAG, visual FX and colour grading, as well as narrative video pieces that were often layered and mixed with live-action scenes.
“One of my particularly favourite visual scenes was a melting montage of watercolours painted by William Bradley in 1788, depicting the First Fleet invading what is now Australia,” added Rachael. “These paintings evolve and melt into each other, supporting the melancholy words sung aloud by the ethereal Alice Skye in the Midnight Oil song ‘Terror Australia’.
“Leading up to the start of Midnight Oil’s set, we played several important documentary pieces created by the Uluru Statement From the Heart organisation, and we engaged a giant QR code on screen which people could interact with and sign the Uluru Statement Of The Heart petition from their seats.”
